Sr. Manager, Human Resources - Orangeburg, SC

About the role

The Senior Manager, HR Business Partner will serve as the senior-most HR leader onsite and a key member of the plant leadership team. This role will enable rapid scaling, operational excellence, and a strong employee experience.

Responsibilities

• Hire, develop, and lead a high-performing onsite HR team; establish priorities, operating rhythms, and a strong leadership bench for the future.
• Act as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Plant Manager and leadership team, shaping business decisions through a people and culture lens.
• Lead all HR efforts for a greenfield manufacturing site, including workforce strategy, org design, hiring ramp plans, and HR infrastructure.
• Partner closely with Talent Acquisition to execute high-volume recruiting strategies and build a workforce capable of supporting a 24/7 operation.
• Create a high-performance culture by establishing and embedding leadership expectations, employee engagement strategies, and a strong employee relations foundation that fosters accountability, inclusion, and results.
• Design and implement scalable HR processes including performance management, workforce planning, succession planning, and compensation practices.
• Serve as a key liaison to corporate HR Centers of Excellence and leadership in Chicago, ensuring alignment to enterprise strategy while advocating for the unique needs of the site.
• Champion organizational change initiatives tied to startup timelines, operational readiness, and long-term growth.
• Foster strong community partnerships, support local engagement initiatives, and build a positive external brand.
• Roll up your sleeves to solve problems, support leaders, and ensure progress—no task is too big or too small in a startup.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including experience leading HR teams at the Manager/Senior Manager level.
• Experience supporting or leading HR in a manufacturing, distribution, or industrial environment, preferably within a 24/7 operation.
• Startup, greenfield, or large-scale transformation experience a plus.
• Demonstrated success leading high-volume, full-cycle recruiting efforts for hourly workforces.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
• Experience working with HR systems such as SuccessFactors, ADP, and MS Office Suite.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Qualifications

• Comfort operating in ambiguity and fast-paced environments with shifting priorities.
• Self-starter with a strong sense of ownership—able to identify priorities, take initiative, and act with urgency to drive results.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and scale teams and organizations, ideally in startup, greenfield, or transformation environments.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence and operate effectively as part of a senior leadership team.
• Demonstrated success in developing leaders and building high-performing teams.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate strategy into actionable people plans.
• Deep expertise across core HR disciplines: employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, leadership development, and engagement.
• Strong coaching and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to navigate complex situations.
• High level of ownership, urgency, and accountability.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.